Four years in Adelaide

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:07

Last week my wife and I celebrated the fourth anniversary of our arrival in Adelaide and the eighth anniversary of our wedding.

We've now spent four years each in the UK and Australia. The time has simply rocketed past.

:eek:

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:08

So, a few things we've done this year... let's start with the courtyard.

Before:

After:

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:10

Wifi antenna!

This was a courtesy installation by a mate of a mate, who provided all equipment (and an entire day's work) free of charge. I helped with the final stage—inserting and securing the antenna mast—which was arguably the hardest.

The wireless mast taps into my mate's spare internet account, which is unmetered and does not cost us a cent (I use it exclusively for torrents via our media PC). It also connects to Air-Stream, a free community wifi network spanning the South Australian suburbs.

We also have a separate fixed line connection with another ISP, which costs us $£35 a month for phone and unlimited broadband. This provides bandwidth for our other two PCs and three tablets.

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:10

Spa!

It's been looking rather sorry for itself, so we spruced it up with a lick of paint and a pair of brass door knobs (not shown here, as they weren't attached yet).

The wood is warped and will need replacing eventually, but it's good for a few years yet.

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:12

Ducted reverse cycle aircon!

We purchased a 10.5kW Fujitsu inverter (ARTG36) with four zones and five outlets. The the cost was £4,325.

The house has three bedrooms, one of which I'm using as a study. There's a split system inverter in the master bedroom, so we didn't need an outlet there.

We can run any single zone by itself, all four zones simultaneously, and every combination in between. The outside unit is very quiet. The interior is dead silent. The temperature difference is amazing.

We were very pleased with the efficiency and courtesy of the installers.

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:13

USA!

As a pastor in my local Christian community I am occasionally invited to speak interstate... and even further afield.

Last year a church in the USA flew me over to Texas as the leading speaker at their annual Bible study weekend. This year another church flew me over to Chicago as a leading speaker at their annual Bible study week in Wisconsin. I also gave a sermon at a church in Lombard, Illinois, and helped out with their weekly charity dinner night.

The Americans were friendly and hospitable, as always. I stayed with a family in Carol Stream (IL) but also spent time with their relatives in West Chicago.

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:13

Carol Stream:

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:14

West Chicago. I stayed in this house:

The neighbourhood was quite nice:

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:15

The local park wasn't too shabby either:

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:15

One of my friends is studying at Wheaton College. It's historically significant, so I wandered down for a look:

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:16

Morton Arboretum was also worth visiting:

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:16

It's been an interesting year. I'm looking forward to the next one.

:cool:

Von Smallhausen · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:29

Great stuff. Interesting to read too.

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 14:37

Cheers mate. Swings and roundabouts, but overall we're in a good place.

Monkeynut · 27 Oct 2013 at 15:49

Interesting read, great pictures, very jealous.

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 16:25

If you liked these, you might appreciate this thread as well: http://bit.ly/1ckRDbd

Suarez7 · 27 Oct 2013 at 16:30

How many massive spiders have you came across in 4 years?

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 16:57

Less than you might think, but more than you'd feel comfortable with.

knip · 27 Oct 2013 at 17:01

Evangelion said:
It's been an interesting year. I'm looking forward to the next one.

We need a numpty bub update, or am I thinking of the other FM who emigrated down under?

Sankari · 27 Oct 2013 at 17:44

knip said:
We need a numpty bub update, or am I thinking of the other FM who emigrated down under?

You've got the right guy. Numpty bub is my little girl alright. But these days she's called Pup.

Her brother is coming along nicely as well:

Here they are together; Pup on the left, Wibbly Pig on the right: